Place: Reviews & Ratings

If you subscribe to the view that a Pub is its people (those who frequent it and those who run it) as opposed to in the kitsch on the walls, then this is a place you'll want to be.

From the exterior, it appears as little more than a hole-in-the-wall establishment, but once you step into the place, it offers a whole lot more.

You're greeted by a beautiful 20+ foot bar and exposed brick walls; a genuine Canadian pub by any stretch. Seat yourself if there's anywhere to sit (which depending on the night, there might not be) or pull up at the bar and wait for a table to open. I say this because you're going to be here for a while.

The thing that stands out about McThirsty's is its food. I understand how irresponsible it would be to make a "best ___" claim, especially with how worked up people can get, but please believe me when I say that, on balance, they have the best chicken wings I have ever had.

These wings are flavourful like I have never encountered before (and I have had way more than my fair share of chicken wings to substantiate that claim). They don't offer weird flavour combinations (no chocolate sauce here), but they do offer a decent assortment and most importantly, they get each flavour right. You have the standard Mild through Suicide, but they also do other staples like Honey Garlic and Cajun Spice. They are also incredibly meaty given their average-ish size and are tender like you wouldn't believe.

On Fowl Mondays and Wingy Wednesdys, the wings are half-price. This isn't anything special in its own right, but when combined with the overall superiority of these wings versus the typical establishment and the fact that 30 wings costs $18 normally, you are getting a deal.

When I lived in Peterborough, a group of us would typically go on one of these nights and order 120 wings. But where else could you get 120 wings for less than $40? It often worked out to less than $5 (drinks not included, although they were always reasonably priced too) a person for multiple pounds of wings.

They also have 20 taps and a decent bottle selection, so you'll have plenty of options when looking for something to put out the fire in your mouth from their genuine suicide wings (they are the hottest wings I've ever had and I suspect they use Scotch Bonnet peppers as their base).

I could go on forever, but suffice it to say: if you find yourself in Peterborough, don't miss the opportunity to try this place out. (2,446 characters)

== Update May 2008 ==Still standing and pretty much in the same condition - still recommended. After a recent trip to Buffalo and the obligatory consumption of several servings of wings there, I have to give this place a bump foodwise on the strength of their wings. They know how to cook 'em, they're properly meaty, not excessively greasy, and they understand that hot means hot. Wonderfully painful to eat, but tasty, not just some insane person locked in the kitchen with a Tobasco bottle in each hand. Those of you who enjoy that sort of thing know what I mean. They do a good job with the other versions, too. So after my trip to the Home of the Buffalo Wing, I have a much deeper appreciation of my local joint. Keep it up, make me scream.

== Original review ==Boasts twenty taps plus a selection of the usual macro stuff. Nothing really exotic - all the taps are products you can find at the local LCBO and Beer Store - but that still leaves you with a far better selection than your run of the mill place. A definite lean towards beer of British origins, includes Strongbow cider. Some Ontario micros including Creemore and Steam Whistle on tap. Only wish they'd get up the nerve to put on a guest tap to bring in some brews from elsewhere in the province.